Hello, prayers of rest listeners. I'm Ashrida Chuchu, and we're taking some time off our regular programming to plan and record our next season of the podcast. So this week, we're here with an excerpt from my upcoming devotional, Prayers of Rest, Daily Prompts to Slow Down and Hear God's Voice. I hope this prayer helps guide you in God's loving presence today.

Luke.

Take a deep breath and quiet your heart as we become aware of God's loving presence around us and within us.

Today's passage comes from Luke, chapter 19, verse 10.

For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.

Recite God's goodness.

Precious Jesus, you didn't have to show such love and compassion.

But like a good shepherd, you go after those who are lost. You didn't have to show such love and compassion.

But like a good shepherd, you go after those who are lost. And for this reason, you came to earth as human to seek out those who have strayed

and to welcome us back into the fold of God's family.

What marvelous grace!

May it never become old or familiar to me. Take a few moments now to recite God's goodness, praising him for who he is, for what he has done in your life,

for going out of his way to seek and to save you.

Express your neediness. Too often, I fail to recognize my own lostness apart from you, God.

I try to forge my own path and determine my own destiny, believing the mantras of self-sufficiency and self-improvement. Forgive me, Lord.

Help me humbly acknowledge that without you, I'd be lost.

I need you every day.

So pause now and express your neediness to God, confessing your sins, your tendency to

wander and your need for His forgiveness and grace in your life. Seek his stillness.

Take a few moments to become aware of God's loving presence, seeking you in the place

where you might have wandered, and guiding you back into his presence.

Sit with him and be comforted by his love.

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